Top Allentown Trucking Accident Lawyers

Understanding the different types of truck wrecks can help in navigating post-accident options.

Understanding what factors can lead to a truck accident is a key part of building your legal case with an Allentown truck accident lawyer. Some of the most common causes of a truck crash in Pennsylvania include:

The largest difference between a car and truck accident is the size of the vehicles involved. Passenger cars weigh between 2,500 and 4,500 pounds on average, while commercial vehicles can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. At Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo, we are experienced Allentown truck accident lawyers, so we can help you navigate your case and secure the compensation you deserve.

One of the first things you should do if you are in a truck accident is to check yourself for injuries. Then, if you are able to, check on your passengers. From there, move your vehicle to a safe location if possible. If that is not possible, remain in your vehicle (unless your car appears to be in mechanical distress, like smoking).

Even if you feel okay, consider calling 911. Having a detailed accident report can be helpful in the legal process. On top of that, the adrenaline pumping through your body may be covering up injuries, so it’s wise to have a medical professional check you for any problems.

After calling the authorities, sit and wait. Turn your vehicle off if it’s still running, and turn on your hazard lights.

If you have road flares in your emergency car kit, place them by your vehicle to warn oncoming traffic. (Don’t use flares if there are spilled mechanical fluids, heavy rain or winds, or a heightened risk of a forest fire.) It’s never too early to look into Pennsylvania accident lawyers, so if you’re waiting for help to arrive and you aren’t injured, you could also begin your search for an attorney.

Next, exchange names, contact information, and insurance details with the other driver or drivers. Document the crash to the best of your ability. This includes taking notes and photos of your vehicle and the other vehicle or vehicles involved in the crash.

Take pictures and, if there are any, the names and numbers of witnesses. Avoid unnecessary discussion with the other driver, including anything that might suggest liability like, “I’m sorry.”

Later on, notify your insurance company of the crash to start the claims process, but avoid signing any paperwork before talking to an Allentown truck accident lawyer. Signing any agreements could impact your ability to pursue further claims.

If an Allentown trucking company, or any trucking company for that matter, calls before you secure an Allentown truck accident attorney, wait to get back to them. It’s critical that you do not sign any agreements before speaking with personal injury lawyers with knowledge of commercial vehicle wrecks.

Local truck accident lawyers know how to talk to insurance on your behalf without admitting fault. They can also identify potentially sneaky clauses in agreements your insurance might send over.

For example, an insurance company might hand you papers that look like an agreement for a rental car while yours gets fixed. Then, it might be too late when you realize that in exchange for the free rental car, you unknowingly waived your right to pursue a claim.

If the insurance company calls you after an accident, it’s important to be cautious. Whether it’s your own insurance provider or the other party’s, remember that the adjuster’s job is to protect the company’s interests — not yours.

Here’s how to handle the call:

• Be Polite, But Don’t Provide Details: You can confirm your name, address, and contact information, but avoid discussing the accident or your injuries.
• Don’t Admit Fault: Even a simple apology can be twisted into an admission of guilt. Stick to the facts, or let them know you’re not ready to talk.
• Do Not Give a Recorded Statement: Insurance adjusters may ask to record your statement. You have the right to decline. A recorded statement can be used against you later.
• Avoid Posting on Social Media: Posts and other communications on social media platforms about your trucking accident may be used as evidence against you in a trial. Avoid posting images or other information online.
• Don’t Accept an Early Settlement Offer: Initial truck accident lawsuit settlement offers are usually much lower than what your case is worth.
• Tell Them Your Attorney Is Handling Communication: If you have an Allentown truck accident lawyer (or plan to hire one), you can direct all questions to your lawyer.

If you’re injured in an Allentown accident involving a commercial truck, you need a personal injury lawyer who has experience with truck accident cases. Truck accident lawsuits are different from typical car crash cases because they often involve multiple parties, federal regulations, and more complex evidence.

These cases often involve reviewing driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data (also called electronic logging devices (ELD)), and they often rely on niche areas of law. Commercial trucks are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and an Allentown truck accident lawyer familiar with these rules can spot violations.

Choosing the right Allentown trucking accident attorney is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your future. These cases are more complicated than regular car accidents, so you need someone with specific experience and the right resources.

Here are a few tips to help you choose the right vehicle accident lawyer:

• Look for Experience: Make sure the attorney has handled truck accident cases before, not just general personal injury cases.
• Ask About Past Results: A successful track record in similar cases can give you confidence that they know how to win.
• Check Their Reputation: Look for client reviews and ratings online, and see if they’ve been recognized by professional organizations.
• Make Sure They Have the Right Resources: Trucking cases often require expert witnesses, accident reconstruction, and detailed investigations. Your lawyer should have a strong team behind them.
• Choose Someone You Feel Comfortable With: Your lawyer should be easy to talk to, responsive, and genuinely interested in helping you.

You may be wondering, “How much do auto accident lawyers charge?” Most truck accident lawyers offer free consultations, so take advantage of that to ask questions and get a feel for how they work. And remember, many (like our Allentown truck accident lawyers) work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if they win your case.

You can sue a trucking company when their negligence — or the negligence of their employee — causes an accident that leads to injuries. In many cases, people assume only the truck driver is responsible, but under Pennsylvania law, the trucking company may also be held liable.

For instance, a trucking company may implement improper truck maintenance or encourage drivers to break safety rules like skipping rests to meet delivery deadlines. Even if the driver directly caused the accident, their employer may still be legally responsible under a principle called “vicarious liability.”

Filing a claim against a trucking company starts with collecting the right evidence and understanding who is responsible for the accident. This process can be complex because you’re not just dealing with a driver — you’re dealing with a business, their insurance company, and possibly multiple other parties.

The first step is usually to seek medical attention and report the accident to the police. Once that’s done, you’ll want to consult a trucking accident attorney in Allentown. They can help you gather evidence like truck maintenance logs, driver records, and data from the vehicle’s black box.

Your Allentown truck accident lawyer can then file a formal claim with the trucking company’s insurance provider. Throughout this process, your lawyer can negotiate on your behalf and may even work with accident reconstruction professionals to prove what really happened.

A personal injury motor vehicle lawsuit is a legal case filed by someone who was injured in a car, truck, or other vehicle accident due to another person’s negligence. This type of lawsuit seeks compensation for things like medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

The goal of a motor vehicle personal injury lawsuit is to make you whole again, at least financially. While no amount of money can undo an accident, a successful case by an Allentown, PA, lawyer can help you afford the care you need, replace lost income, and hold the at-fault party accountable.

Truck accident lawsuits usually start with an investigation into what caused the crash and who is at fault. After that, your Allentown truck accident lawyer can file a claim with the trucking company’s insurance provider. If the insurance company doesn’t offer a fair settlement, your lawyer may file a lawsuit in court.

Allentown truck accident lawyers can work with you and with leading industry professionals to determine who can be held liable. Some of the parties that may be included in the case are:

Under Pennsylvania law, damage compensation is governed by a system known as a modified comparative fault system. This means that even if the accident victim is deemed partially responsible, as long as they are not more than 50% responsible for the crash, they may still receive compensation. Compensation can be adjusted depending on how responsible the court or jury deems the driver.

An Allentown truck accident lawyer understands the legal avenues and requirements to build a case that fully explores every option to secure maximum compensation. In addition, an attorney can be invaluable both in settlement discussions and in court since the trucking company and insurance companies likely have their own lawyers.

Also importantly—after an accident, you don’t want to have to worry about legal battles. An Allentown truck accident lawyer can fight your case while you focus on healing.

An Allentown truck accident attorney can inform you of your rights and represent you in negotiations with insurance and trucking companies. While past results don’t promise any future outcomes, looking for a truck accident firm with an incredible track record can help you feel confident in your case.

At Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo, we have secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements. We work with our clients to give them a better chance at the best outcome and help give them the support they need.

We want to help our neighbors in Pennsylvania move forward after an accident, and we have the legal experience needed to give our clients a better outcome and the compensation they deserve. We have more than 190 years of combined experience handling these types of cases. We have helped clients throughout Allentown, Easton, Bethlehem, Northern Pennsylvania, and beyond.

Here at Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo, we have a proven track record of victory when it comes to trucking accident settlements in Pennsylvania. For instance, some of our most notable settlements include the following:

• $770,000 trucking accident settlement
• $525,000 tractor-trailer accident settlement
• $450,000 trucking accident settlement
• $300,000 truck accident settlement

However, this is only a small portion of our success — our Allentown truck accident lawyers have over $1 billion in combined verdicts and settlements for personal injury victims in Pennsylvania, much of which comes from various car accident settlements.

It’s not just our track record that makes us a good option. We also care deeply for our neighbors throughout the Lehigh Valley. We know that by holding negligent and dangerous drivers accountable, we’re helping to build a safer community for residents of Pennsylvania.

Don’t just take our word for it, though. You can also read through our client reviews from previous cases.

In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. If you miss this window, you could lose your right to seek compensation, no matter how strong your case is. You can work with a trucking accident lawyer to file within the correct time frame.

An Allentown truck accident lawyer can help you both navigate the legal process, negotiate on your behalf during settlement discussions, and argue your case in court if it comes to that. On top of all that, our truck accident attorneys at Cohen, Feely, Altemose & Rambo do our best to provide you with peace of mind and a strong foundation to build on following a truck accident in Allentown. We treat our clients like family — we’re here for you every step of the way.

Legal representation can have a significant impact on the outcome of a case. The trucking company, truck driver, insurance companies, and other involved parties generally all have their own legal representation. By retaining your own Allentown truck accident lawyer, you’re in a better position to negotiate and argue for compensation.

At Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo, our Allentown attorneys work on a contingent fee basis. This means that our fees are a percentage of what we recover for you. If we don’t win, we won’t charge you anything. Plus, your first consultation with our Allentown truck accident lawyers is always free.

Each accident is different, and calculating damages depends on a range of factors, including the degree of fault. Allentown truck accident lawyers can work to determine the relevant factors and craft a case that can help you secure the maximum compensation possible.

Damages are typically assessed as “economic damages” and “non-economic damages.” Economic damages can include medical bills, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. Non-economic damages might include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress. A truck accident lawyer in Pennsylvania could tell you more about your specific case.

After a fatal accident in Allentown, the victim’s family could be entitled to compensation as well. Wrongful death damages may include funeral expenses, loss of consortium, medical bills, and more.